Oakland Raiders: Goodell Memo Could be Bad News for Future of Team in Oakland

Stuart Kovacs – Jun 30, 2012

On Friday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell  sent out a memo to all 32 teams in the league regarding stadium development in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The memo specifically targeted three teams that are rumored to be possible suitors for relocation. These three teams are the St. Louis Rams, the San Diego Chargers, and of course the Oakland Raiders.

In terms of stadium development, Goodell mentioned that the situation is looking as good as it has in a number a years. There are obviously still major question marks, but a new facility in the city’s future will be a main factor in obtaining an NFL team.

"Although substantial uncertainties remain, stadium development in Los Angeles has advanced to the point where the prospects for a new facility are better than they have been in many years."

All three teams have had major stadium issues in terms of leases being up or poor attendance. Also, all three have played in or near Los Angeles in their past.

For the Raiders, Los Angeles still seems like a strong possibility especially after AEG won the rights to operate O.co Coliseum last month. The city still has a strong Raiders following especially when the team gave the city 13 great seasons and a Super Bowl championship.

The Raiders, along with the Rams and Chargers, will have between January 1, 2013 and February 15,  2013 to apply to be the team chosen to move Los Angeles, which currently has two possible Farmers field locations.

However, it then gets tricky as the commissioner stated in his memo that the league, through an owner-only meeting, will be the one to decide what team will go.

"If no application is received for the 2013 season, we will consider when and under what circumstances clubs may apply for consent to relocate in a future season."  

The problem with this is that the decision seems to be solely in Goodell’s hands.

For the Raiders, owner Mark Davis will have to convince the city of Oakland to build the team a new stadium. If that is not done, the Raiders could be destined for a return to Los Angeles.

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